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Tag Archives: Holiday Fun

Asheville Awaits the 31st Annual 'Bele Chere' Festival, July 24-26th

July 24th will mark the start of Asheville’s 31st annual ‘Bele Chere’ Music and Art Festival and the influx of 350,000 estimated festival-goers. According to their website, “The festival features four stages of free- live music and an impressive array of arts and crafts; as well as entertainment and activities for children. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains of Western North Carolina- come join us for one of the Southeast’s largest free outdoor street festivals.”

Though still a couple of months away, here at AshevilleLive we are keeping this festival on our radar and plan on bringing you a series of reports ranging from exciting events to see and participate in, to some of the changes being made for 2009. One of the additions to this year’s festival will be a “battle of the bands-style contest” conducted in conjunction with WNC Magazine and the Asheville Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department called “Last Band Standing: Road to Bele Chere 2009“.

Other events we’ll be keeping an eye on include the 30th Annual Bele Chere 5k, the Lexington Avenue Drumming Tent, and Rashad McCant’s “Shoot for the Cure“, in which one lucky festival-goer will have a chance to win $10,000 with proceeds benefiting breast cancer research.

So stay tuned to AshevilleLive for upcoming reports with more information on how to maximize your fun at the largest street festival in the southeastern United States.

Phish Concert Expected to Clog Asheville Streets

Phish Comes to Asheville~ and is bringing a following of nearly 15,000 fans. The City of Asheville is planning ahead for a Tuesday, June 9 concert (with a ticketed attendance of 7,200) by the band Phish that is expected to cause traffic delays and result in limited parking. Officials have released a memo via Citizen Times warning downtown drivers to “avoid parking in lots marked with signage as towing zones, even if the lot is empty.” and advising that concert goers “carpool to the concert and to arrive early.”

The memo goes on to say: “In order to ensure the most efficient traffic flow and pedestrian safety during the event, streets surrounding the Civic Center will be closed June 9, 9:30 a.m.

Airport Receives $7.5 Million in Stimulus Funding

Asheville Regional AirportAlthough it

Asheville Arts Center

Asheville Arts Center - Asheville NCThe Asheville Arts Centeris a school based on unlimited opportunities for students to explore their interests in music, dance and drama. They offer a variety of classes, including everything from Ballet, Jazz, and Hip Hop Dance Lessons to Children

Local Disk Golf Courses – Asheville NC

Disk Golf - Asheville NCAsheville is host to many exciting outdoor activities. One such activity your friends and family are sure to enjoy is Disk Golf.

Disc golf got started in the 1970s, combining the basic elements of ball golf and Frisbee. The game is played on a nine- or 18-hole course by throwing a weighted disc, slightly smaller than a Frisbee, over fairways with the object of sinking it into special metal baskets in the fewest number of throws. Courses are usually in forested areas and use the trees, hills and other natural terrain to make the game more challenging.

Disc golf is played much like traditional golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, however, players use a flying disc, or Frisbee. The sport shares with “ball golf” the object of completing each hole in the fewest number of strokes (or, in the case of disc golf, fewest number of throws).

A golf disc is thrown from a tee area to a target which is the “hole.” The hole can be one of a number of disc golf targets; the most common is called a Pole Hole, an elevated metal basket. As a player progresses down the fairway, he or she must make each consecutive shot from the spot where the previous throw has landed.

The trees, shrubs and terrain changes in and around the fairways provide challenging obstacles for the golfer. Finally, the “putt” lands in the basket and the hole is completed. Disc golf shares the same joys and frustrations of traditional golf, whether it’s sinking a long putt or hitting a tree halfway down the fairway. There are few differences, though. Disc golf rarely requires a greens fee, you probably won’t need to rent a cart, and you never get stuck with a bad “tee time.” It is designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages, male and female, regardless of economic status.

The sport is also one that is played year-round, in rain or shine, snow or ice. When it comes to Disk Golf; the more natural hazards to contend with, the better. With at least 6 courses nearby, you can conveniently enjoy one of these wonderful locations:

For full details and directions see WNC Disk Golf

Richmond Hill Disc Golf Course, Asheville, NC is a heavily wooded course with elevation changes in abundance. A full 18 holes are available for play. Installed in 2001, this course was designed with the serious player in mind. The primary tee box placement is set for the advanced/professional player, although many holes contain alternate/amateur tee box placements.

Mars Hill College Disc Golf Course
-An 18-hole course in and around the Mars Hill College Campus. Check kiosk for details.

Black Mountain Recreation Park Disc Golf Course, Black Mountain, NC is a 9-hole course that caters to the recreational player. This course contains a mix of wooded and open shots. A river comes into play for many holes. Black Mountain technically challenges even the advanced player with tight skill shots.


Crookston Disc Golf Course, Fletcher, NC
is a professional caliber 9-hole course installed in 2001. The course is located at the Fletcher Community Park and contains many open shots as it meanders around a pond. There are professional as well as amateur tee boxes at every hole. Out-of-bounds comes into play throughout the course.

Western Carolina University Disc Golf Course
9 holes – Disc Catcher

Vance Street Disc Golf Course (Waynesville)
18 holes with 2 pin locations for each hole and a mixed bag of tee surfaces including grass, asphalt and concrete. The long pin total distance is 6692 and the short pin is 5010. The course is an open course with a few choice tree shots to give all who play it a good challenge!! Lots of O.B. to make it interesting including streams and creeks for plastic swimming!! The course offers some great views of the Southern Appalachians!!

NC Arboretum is a Fun Time with the Kids

Asheville Arboretum, NC

Spring is here, Perseophone is home and Demeter is basking in love and gifts of blossoms and warm breezy days. If you are looking for a new place to take the kids, Kelby Carr gives her list of reasons why the arboretum is a great place to take the kids.

From Kelby Carr’s Full Article: NC Arboretum with Kids

Silk Dyed Easter Eggs – You've Got to Try This!

At the beginning of this experiment, I have to admit I had my doubts! Thinking: “there is no way this is going to work…” however it did work, and probably will work even better on my second attempt.

On this first batch, I did not use vinegar, or the second layer of white cloth; Both of which would probably make for better pattern transfer and brighter colors. Nonetheless it was fun, here are a few quick photos showing how the trial run turned out:

Silk Dyed Easter Eggs - Asheville NC

Silk Dyed Easter Eggs - Asheville NC

Tutorial by OurBestBites.com

Materials and Tools:

  • Raw Eggs
  • Glass or enamel pot (pretty much anything non-aluminum will work)
  • Silk Ties, Blouses, or Boxer Shorts
    (cut into pieces large enough to cover eggs)
  • An old white sheet or pillowcase
    (also cut into pieces to cover silk-wrapped eggs)
  • Twist Ties or String to secure cloth
    (I just tied the cloth around my eggs)
  • 4 Table Spoons of white vinegar
    (optional – but will give better colors)
  • Warm Water
  • Vegetable Oil (optional)
  • Paper Towels or Colander to dry eggs
  • Tongs or Spoon to handle Hot Eggs

1.) Remove seaming from ties & any lining inside. All you want is a piece of silk. Cut into a square (or any shape piece that will fully cover raw egg.

2.) Wrap an egg with a piece of silk, making sure printed side of the material is facing egg. Silk can still be used if it doesn’t fit perfectly around egg. Just try to make as much smooth contact with the fabric as possible. The pattern will transfer much better if it is right up against the egg. Any part that is folded or wrinkled will leave kind of a tie-dyed pattern (which is still cool – see my photos). Secure the cloth with a twist tie or string. (if you do not mind tie dye effect just tie cloth around the egg)

3.) Place the silk-wrapped egg in a piece of white sheet, pillowcase, or old tablecloth and secure tightly with another twist tie or string. (I skipped this step)

4.) Place the eggs in the pot. Fill pot with water to cover eggs completely. Then, add the 1/4 cup of vinegar. (I forgot vinegar)

5.) Bring water to a boil, turn down heat, simmer for 20-25 minutes.

6.) Remove eggs from water with tongs/spoon and let cool on paper towels or in colander.

7.) Once eggs are cool enough to handle, remove the fabric.

8.) Freak Out – Because they look so AMAZING!

9.) Add a bit of luster by dabbing vegetable oil on paper towel and rubbing eggs.

Have fun and post some pictures of your Easter Eggstravaganza!